ATPnovel Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Four: Family
Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Four: Family
“Oh, I’m a little jealous of that,” he said with a chuckle.
My father didn’t add anything as he stood and started looking at the artwork that I hadn’t paid any attention to at all on the walls.
“Still not sleeping well?” I asked, concerned.
Onyx hadn’t slept well for the last couple of years, but everyone always hoped he’d get over the nightmares he had.
“Oh, no, not like that.” He let out a sigh. “Things are much better than when you left for school.”
The dark circles under his eyes weren’t as bad as I remembered, but still I worried. Out of all of my brothers, he paid the most attention to everyone.
I steamed my milk and added some chocolate to it. Then some mint. That’d help settle my stomach.
“This is a beautiful place,” said my father.
When I turned back with my mug, he stared out the giant windows overlooking the patio and the forest. “It reminds me of where I grew up.”
Both Onyx and I glanced at one another before looking at him. Dad didn’t talk much about his childhood.
“Really?” I asked as I quietly walked over and sat on the couch.
The Cat jumped into my lap, but Indigo wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
“Yes, the chilly winter months and the snow on the dark trees. I much prefer living where we live now.” He shook his head softly and turned back to face us as Onyx joined me on the other end of the couch. “Plus, our small town is just what I needed.”
“You’re just saying that because mom would never leave,” added Onyx, with a joking tilt.
“You’re not wrong,” said my father before he sat in a chair near the window. He tossed a pillow at my brother. “Your mom is worth it all. Not to mention, you know, all my children. Those little buggers.”
Onyx chuckled along with me.
“We are pretty amazing,” I added, giving Onyx a glance that he returned.
“So this is the cat you can’t travel for,” said Onyx, studying the Cat in my lap. “He seems friendly enough.”
“He can be, if he likes you.” My mind went to the warning sign in the shop, which wasn’t anywhere to be found in the living room.
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The Cat flicked his tail at me and started making muffins on my leg.
“So, what are things like back home? Wait. Is anyone else joining us?” I couldn’t believe I hadn’t asked till now. I’d almost bet the rest of my family would show up.
My dad laughed, almost spitting out coffee at the look on my face. “Just us, pumpkin. Your mom has some stuff going on, and Umbre is trying to get Jackie up to speed with the farm. Cerulean is off on a trek through some sort of mountains, and Cyan is working on a job.”
That tracked with the last call I’d had with people back home.
“Don’t you have a book due soon?” I poked Onyx with my foot.
He shook his head. “I wrapped it up early and figured I’d come with dad so he wasn’t driving alone.”
“I’m fine to be driving on my own,” grumbled my father. He rolled his eyes, but turned his attention to the windows again. “Plus, this isn’t our only stop on the trip. We’re hitting a few different places I’ve been meaning to go.”
“Oh, like what?” I asked, curious. Already it was a feat that he got my brother out of town. Now, he had multiple stops planned on the road trip? It felt almost unbelievable.
My dad’s cheeks burned a bright red. “Well, uh, places.”
Yep, unbelievable.
I chuckled to myself as I finished my coffee.
“How is work going?” asked my brother. He placed his mug on the coffee table as Indigo, still in cat form, brushed along the edge of it.
She glanced at him as he suddenly reached out to touch her.
“Great, work is going great.” I swallowed, hoping her magic would let her feel like a cat, but I didn’t know. When Lady Twilight touched her, she had turned back into a dragon. “I’ve been thinking about the end of my contract, and what to do...” I trailed off.
I didn’t realize how much that statement would bring all of the focus onto me.
Indigo scrambled away as my brother and dad both turned their attention fully on me. Even the Cat paused in my lap, glancing up at my face.
“You have until this summer to make any decisions,” said my brother. “Usually you aren’t a planner and you just go where life takes you.”
“I plan sometimes,” my voice rose a little, since his comment felt like a dig.
“That’s not a bad thing, Sable,” he quickly added. “I’m jealous that you can go with the flow like that. I need to know all the details all the time to make a choice, and it weighs on me.”
My shoulders lowered a little at his comment. “I’ve just been thinking about what I want to do. I gotta visit home, but I love my job as well.”
“So, you’re going to renew your contract?” my father asked, with an eyebrow raised.
I didn’t think it was that simple. It wasn’t like the shop could remain empty while I visited my family.
“Just take a vacation and find someone to cover the shop for a few weeks,” said Onyx. “Or find a place to watch the cats.”
I giggled, thinking of a boarding center taking the Cat and Indigo for two weeks. That’d be a hot mess.
“I’d rather just bring them with me, but I don’t think the Cat can travel like that.”
“I think not,” grumbled the Cat.
“The boys have decided that your cat is rich, as his last owner died, leaving him with all of the money and the shop,” added my father. “I told Onyx he should write a book about it.”
“Something like that,” I said with a nod as I scratched under the Cat’s chin.
“No one owns me,” came from my lap as he finally sat down.
“This is his home. The shop, I mean, not here.” I caught myself there and hoped no one noticed.
Onyx suddenly jumped up and raced toward the door. “The groceries!”
I just let him go, as my father laughed like it was the funniest thing.
“Well, I forgot about that,” he muttered through his grin. “We didn’t get a ton, just a few necessities since we weren’t sure if you knew we were coming.”
“Oh, anything especially tasty?” I asked.
“Some steaks, potatoes, and stuffing.”
“Necessitites...” I said lightly. Though I hoped he didn’t plan on grilling the steaks.
“Exactly!”
“Well, I have some cookie dough in the freezer.” At least there should be.
I didn’t dare get off the couch; it wasn’t like I could go help empty the car.
A burst of cold air came from the front of the house as the door slammed open.
“Sable, can I get some help?” called my brother.